Feeding apparatus

ABSTRACT

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a feeding apparatus, comprising: a vessel, for storing food; and at least one depression the form of which corresponds to the convex form of a spoon for feeding an infant from the vessel; or an elastic object changeable to the form of the convex side of the spoon. In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a kit for feeding an infant, the kit comprising: a spoon; and a vessel (such as a bowl and cup) having an arched depression the form of which corresponds to the contour of the convex side of the spoon. The depression may be a part of the rim of the vessel, a part of the rim of a reed attached to the vessel, a part of a tab of the vessel, and so on.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of infant feeding devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Parents are familiar with the situation of mush that adheres to a spoon during feeding an infant. The mush that adheres to a spoon tends to fall on the way from food vessel to the mouth of an infant. In order to prevent this situation the parent “wipes” the spoon at the wall of the food vessel, i.e. pass the bottom of the spoon over a wall of the vessel, in order to discard from the mush adhered to the bottom of the spoon into the vessel. Since this act usually doesn't provide a satisfactory result, the parent repeats the operation one or twice, each time in a different angle between the spoon and the rim of the vessel.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an infant feeding apparatus which improves the operation of spoon wiping in comparison to the prior art.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following embodiments and aspects thereof are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems, tools and methods, which are meant to be merely illustrative, not limiting in scope. In various embodiments, one or more of the above-described problems have been reduced or eliminated, while other embodiments are directed to other advantages or improvements.

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a feeding apparatus, comprising:

-   -   a vessel, for storing food; and     -   at least one depression the form of which corresponds to the         convex form of a spoon for feeding an infant from the vessel         (i.e., not any spoon, but a spoon directed to feed an infant         from that particular vessel); or     -   an elastic object changeable to the form of the convex side of         the spoon (as illustrated in FIG. 5).

In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a kit for feeding an infant, the kit comprising:

-   -   a spoon; and     -   a vessel (such as a bowl and cup) having an arched depression         the form of which corresponds to the contour of the convex side         of the spoon.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the depression is a part of the rim of the vessel (as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 1).

According to another embodiment of the invention, the depression is a part of the rim of a reed attached to the vessel (as illustrated, for example, in FIGS. 9 and 10).

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, the depression is a part of a tab of the vessel (as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 6).

The tab may further comprise a folding line, for adjusting the position of the depression with regard to the rim of the vessel (as illustrated in FIG. 6).

The spoon may be a teaspoon, a soupspoon, and the like.

The vessel may be a bowl, a cup, a mug, and so on.

The apparatus may further comprise an additional bowl (referred herein also as minor compartment and marked by numeral 20, and illustrated, for example, in FIG. 10), for accumulating un-wiped food that falls from the spoon while being wiped by the apparatus.

The apparatus may further comprise a passageway from the additional bowl into the vessel, for re-using the accumulated un-wiped food. The passageway may be a depression at the lower side of the depression. The apparatus may further comprise a lid covering both, the vessel and the additional bowl.

In addition to the exemplary aspects and embodiments described above, further aspects and embodiments will become apparent by reference to the figures and by study of the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a bowl 2 which comprises a mechanism 4 for wiping the convex side of a spoon, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view which schematically illustrates a spoon while being wiped by a spoon wiper, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view which schematically illustrates a spoon after lifted up from a spoon wiper, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a food vessel having a spoon wiper while wiping, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a feeding vessel 2, comprising a spoon wiper, according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a plastic cup comprising a spoon wiper, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a plastic cup comprising a plurality of spoon wipers, according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a feeding vessel 2, according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a feeding vessel 2, according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an apparatus 2 for feeding an infant, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the apparatus 2 illustrated in FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is the top view of apparatus 2 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is the cross section A-A which is defined in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a top view along a yogurt cup, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is the cross section B-B of FIG. 15.

It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention, for which reference should be made to the appended claims. It should be further understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and that, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein. Reference numerals may be repeated among the figures in order to indicate corresponding or analogous elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuits have not been described in detail, for the sake of clarity.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a bowl 2 which comprises a mechanism 4 for wiping the convex side of a spoon, according to one embodiment of the invention.

The spoon wiper mechanism 4 in this embodiment is an arched depression at the rim 12 of vessel 2. The contour of the arch corresponds to the contour of a spoon.

Additionally or alternatively, a manufacturer may produce a feeding vessel and a corresponding spoon wiper, thereby achieving optimal correspondence between the spoon wiper and the spoon.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view which schematically illustrates a spoon while being wiped by a spoon wiper, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Since the form of the spoon at the rim that comes in contact with the wiper of vessel 2 correspond, the wiping is more effective in comparison to the prior art.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view which schematically illustrates a spoon after lifted up from a spoon wiper, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a food vessel having a spoon wiper while wiping, according to one embodiment of the invention.

As mentioned above, since the form of the spoon at the rim that comes in contact with the wiper of vessel 2 corresponds, the wiping is more effective in comparison to the prior art.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a feeding vessel 2, comprising a spoon wiper, according to another embodiment of the invention.

In this case the spoon wiper is a strap whose rim is marked by numeral 12. The strap is made of elastomeric material. By pushing the spoon against the rim of the elastic strap, the strap bends correspondingly to the form of the pushing spoon. Thus, the elastic rim of the feeding vessel 2 is used as a spoon wiper.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a plastic cup comprising a spoon wiper, according to one embodiment of the invention.

The top of the cup is a flat square. The tab of the flat square top is designed as a spoon wiper, i.e., its form corresponds to the convex side of a spoon. Folding line 16 allows folding the cup such that the spoon wiper stands vertically to the flat square top of the cup, or in any other angle.

Of course the cup may be manufactured with a vertical tab.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a plastic cup comprising a plurality of spoon wipers, according to another embodiment of the invention.

The edge 12 of the vessel is designed as a “flower” of arches. Each arch 4 is used as a spoon wiper. The benefit of this embodiment is that no matter how the cup is placed, there is always a spoon wiper which is close to the spoon held by the parent more than the other arches.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a feeding vessel 2, according to another embodiment of the invention.

According to this embodiment of the invention, the vessel, which in this case is a bowl, comprises an additional “minor” bowl 20, deployed at the outer side of bowl 2, “behind” the spoon wiper 4. Thus, according to this embodiment of the invention, spoon wiper 4 divides the bowl into two compartment: the major compartment which is marked herein by numeral 8, which stores the food, and a minor compartment, which is marked herein by numeral 8, which stores excess food that falls thereto during wiping a spoon.

The excess food (e.g. mush) which falls at the outer side of the spoon wiper 4, falls into the minor compartment 20. A depression 22 allows the food accumulated in the minor compartment 20 to return back to the major compartment 8.

FIG. 10 schematically illustrates a feeding vessel 2, according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

According to this embodiment of the invention, the vessel, which in this case is a cup such as a yogurt cup, comprises an additional small bowl 20, deployed at the external side of bowl 2, “behind” the spoon wiper 4. Thus, extra food (e.g. mush) which falls at the external side of the spoon wiper 4, falls into the small bowl 20. A depression 22 allows the food accumulated in the small bowl 20 to return back to the cup 2.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an apparatus 2 for feeding an infant, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

The apparatus comprises a lid 18, which has a handle 24 for enabling to remove the lid in an easy manner.

FIG. 12 is a front view of the apparatus 2 illustrated in FIG. 10, and FIG. 13 is the top view thereof.

FIG. 13 defines a cross-section A-A.

FIG. 14 is the cross section A-A defined in FIG. 13. Lid 24 is not illustrated in this figure. The figure demonstrates the two compartments of vessel 2: the major compartment 8, and the minor compartment 20. Since rim 12 of the major compartment, and rim 13 of the minor compartment are at the same plane, the vessel can be covered by a lid (illustrated in FIG. 12) such that both, the major compartment and the minor compartment, are covered and sealed.

FIG. 15 is a top view along a yogurt cup, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Cup 2 comprises a major compartment 8, and a minor compartment 4.

In this figure is defined cross section B-B.

FIG. 16 is the cross section B-B of FIG. 15. The figure demonstrates the two compartments of vessel 2: the major compartment 8, and the minor compartment 20. Since rim 12 of the major compartment and rim 13 of the minor compartment are at the same plane, the vessel can be covered by a lid (not illustrated) such that both, the major compartment and the minor compartment, are covered and sealed.

In the figures and description herein, the following numerals have been mentioned:

-   -   numeral 2 denotes a container of an apparatus for feeding an         infant, such as bowl, cup, mug, and the like;     -   numeral 4 denotes a “spoon wiper”, i.e., a mechanism for wiping         a spoon from excess food which adheres to the convex side         thereof;     -   numeral 6 denotes a handle of a spoon;     -   numeral 8 denotes the space inside a bowel 2, such as a mush;     -   numeral 10 denotes food that has been felled into bowl 2;     -   numeral 12 denotes the rim of bowl 2;     -   numeral 16 denotes a folding line;     -   numeral 18 denotes a lid of container 2;     -   numeral 20 denotes a minor compartment of a feeding vessel 2,         which stores excess food that falls therein during wiping a         spoon;     -   numeral 22 denotes a depression which allows the food         accumulated in the minor compartment 20 to return back to the         major compartment 8; and     -   numeral 24 denotes a handle of lid 18, which allows removing lid         18 is an easy manner.

While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, the invention can be embodied in other forms, ways, modifications, substitutions, changes, equivalents, and so forth. The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto. 

1. A feeding apparatus, comprising: a vessel, for storing food; and at least one depression the form of which corresponds to the convex form of a spoon for feeding an infant from said vessel; or an elastic object changeable to the form of the convex side of said spoon.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said depression is a part of the rim of said vessel.
 3. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said depression is a part of the rim of a reed attached to said vessel.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said depression is a part of a tab of said vessel.
 5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said tab further comprises a folding line, for adjusting the position of said depression with regard to the rim of said vessel.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said spoon is a teaspoon.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said spoon is a soupspoon.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said vessel is a bowl.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said vessel is a cup.
 10. An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an additional bowl, for accumulating un-wiped food that falls from said spoon while being wiped by said apparatus.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a passageway from said additional bowl into said vessel, for re-using the accumulated un-wiped food.
 12. An apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said passageway is a depression at the lower side of said depression.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a lid covering said vessel and said additional bowl.
 14. A kit for feeding an infant, the kit comprising: a spoon; and a vessel having an arched depression the form of which corresponds to the contour of the convex side of said spoon.
 15. A kit according to claim 14, wherein said vessel is a bowl.
 16. A kit according to claim 14, wherein said vessel is a cup.
 17. A kit according to claim 14 further comprising an additional bowl, for accumulating un-wiped food that falls during wiping a spoon.
 18. A kit according to claim 17, further comprising a passageway from said additional bowl into said vessel, for re-using the accumulated un-wiped food.
 19. A kit according to claim 17, further comprising a lid covering said vessel and said additional bowl. 